Hi,

I've just joined this community on the recommendation of a friend and from what I've seen so far it looks like just the sort of place I can ask what might seem like stupid questions but ones that I have no answers too.

Planning this trip is suddenly becoming very daunting. Me and my girlfriend are travelling over from London to follow the England Ladies in the World Cup (football). This is the basic outline of our trip:

1. Shanghai - 8 nights
2. Chengdu - 4 nights
3A. Wuhan - 4 nights
4A. Tianjin - 4 nights
5. Shanghai - 3 nights

or

3B. Tianjin - 4 nights
4B. Hangzhou - 4 nights

The reason we're not sure yet is because it would all depend on if England get through different stages of the competition and where they qualified (in 1st or 2nd group plae) that will determine where we'd travel to next. Obviously there is a chance that they won't get past the first stage and therefore we would have about 2 weeks free to travel wherever we wanted to - Hong Kong, Beijin, Xian are places we're sort of pencilling in if that happens.

What I would like to know is if train travel between these places is a viable option or should we just look at flying for ease and speed? Also, does anyone have any suggestions of places to see and stay in any of the cities mentioned - we think we've got accommodation sorted for Shanghai but not for any of the other cities yet so any help at all would be fantastic.

Also, can anyone tell me what the weather is going to be like during September, is it hot at that time of year? I've got no idea about anything right now and it's starting to scare me

Any help at all would be fantastic.

Many thanks
Sally

Hey Sazza - welcome to BNA. Sounds like an awesome idea for a trip you've got. I don't have all the answers you're looking for, but I'll take a crack ...

It's definitely viable to take trains between your destinations, but you're going to have some LONG trips! Depending on your tolerance for long train rides -- and the need to get to the next destination in a hurry -- you might consider just flying.

Chengdu-Wuhan is about the only short-ish one you've got. The rest look like overnighters.

On the other hand, the trains in China can be a blast and are generally pretty comfortable in hard-sleeper class. So if you've got time and are inclined to save a bit of cash, don't hesitate to take the train.

hi, i do not know if you need my help,it seems you worry about your journey very much. First you talk about your accommodation very much, it is quite easy to book a hotel form the internet.You also worry about the train, actually it is not a trouble , the sofe beds are all right.Usually it has a seperate room for four people except the food is terrible so you have to prepare some food on the train.It is not clean also.If you choose hard beds, there is no seperate room , so you have to stay with a lot of people together. I looked at your trip and i do not know why you arranged so long in Shanghai area, it is very close from Shanghai to hangzhou and there are not many interesting places worth of staying so long. Shanghai and Hangzhou altogether a week is enough.You also arranged Wuhan, i donot know if you want to take a ship visiting Three Gorges or not, if you want, you can take a train to Yichang directily but not Wuhan.It is a pity that you can't visit Beijing and Xian.If you have interests, you can arrange them for a week .The weather will be fine in September

Just one advice. Tianjin is quite near to Beijing and Hangzhou is quite near to Shanghai, so I don't think you should miss Beijing and Hangzhou if you do have a plan to visit Tianjian and Shanghai.

If you don't mind the torridity, the weather is fine in September

And if the soccer team doesn't do well and you really do have a lot of time on your hands, then travel to places other than those on your list! I think you're spending more than enough time in Shanghai and Huangzhuo is really, really close. Definitely take the hard bed sleeper trains - they're cheap, efficient and you meet cute little tour groups of Chinese men or families, or other independent travelers. Definitely the way to travel in China.

As for where to go in China - if you have time, you should make it to Guilin/Yangsho and Lijiang/Tiger Leaping Gorge. Those are my two favorite areas that I've seen of China.

Have fun!

Thankyou all for your replies you've all given me something to think about - it's difficult planning a trip and not knowing enough about where places are in relation to each other so I'll definately go and rethink where we will stay. Our biggest problem was going to be budgeting for so many internal flights but if you all think the trains will be the answer, at least for some of the trips then I will definately look into that. I am sure I will be checking back in here to ask more questions so thankyou all again, so much, for taking the time to answer my questions. You lot are great!

Sally

You have too much time in Shanghai. It's a great city, but it doesn't take that long to see. Take a day trip to Zhouzhuang (they have tour buses for about 100RMB or so for the day). The tours will be in Chinese, but you'll see some cool stuff anyway. Just don't eat at the recommended restaurant... the Chinese were very unhappy with the price and quality (I ate elsewhere).

Also remember, if you do have time to go to Hong Kong, you will need a dual-entry visa in order to get back to the mainland.

I agree with Bozrah82, if you have time visit Lijiang/Tiger Leaping Gorge and Yangshuo. Tiger Leaping gorge was absolutely stunning...10,000 vertical ft gorge with a 2 day hike. The best part is Halfway House Guesthouse in the middle. If I could pick a place to chill for a week or two, that would be it. Lijiang is a bit Disneyworld'ish...freakishly clean and restored by Chinese standards...but very nice. There's a reason just about every tour to China includes a stop in Yangshuo or Guilin. Enjoy your trip.